Dating back to the summer, things have been far from peaceful around the Philadelphia 76ers. The Ben Simmons saga has been a national talking point for months and has left a dark cloud over the team's head.
While a stalemate of this magnitude might have broken most locker rooms by now, the Sixers continue to act professionally and keep their focus on basketball. They are fully aware of what is going on but choose to put their energy toward the things they can control.
Throughout this ordeal, there has been nothing but uncertainties. Between speculating if Simmons would ever suit up for the Sixers again and the who/what/when in regards to a trade, the possibilities are endless. That being said, the upcoming trade deadline will finally bring a sense of clarity to the Sixers.
After weeks of rumors, the NBA trade deadline is rapidly approaching. Teams have until 3 p.m. ET Thursday to finalize any deals they have their sights on. This will also be Daryl Morey's final chance to trade Simmons until the offseason.
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Whether they've shown it or not, there is no denying this situation has taken a toll on the Sixers. Following their matchup with the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night, players and coaches opened up on how the certainty of the roster post-deadline will be a sigh of relief for them. First up was head coach Doc Rivers.
“Absolutely. Especially this year because of the situation we're in. I know our guys are NBA players and all that, but they're human. I can't imagine the amount of names that have been thrown in. So every single guy goes to bed thinking this may be his last night. That's tough, it really is,” said Rivers.
If anyone understands this aspect of the business, it's Tobias Harris. The Sixers forward also chimed in how guys' psyche could improve when the dust from the deadline settles.
“Yeah, that will be good for us. You're just hearing everybody's name. It's just one of those things. Trade rumors are always kind of eerie for guys around the NBA. That plays an impact on guy's mental, psyche, focus, all the way down the line,” said Harris.
This time of year has to take a hefty toll on players. Having to play on a nightly basis knowing a trade could happen at any moment must bring an incredible amount of stress. All the hubbub regarding a possible Simmons trade brings an even greater weight on Sixers players as the deadline nears.
Having the next two days off makes things a little easier on the Sixers, but the mental toll is still there in full force. Once the clock strikes 3 p.m. on Thursday, guys will be able to stop holding their breath and get back to focusing on the road ahead.